Mott MacDonald

Support project coordination and technical review activities for Utah Transit Authority rail fleet programs. Work with vendor engineering teams to review design documentation, clarify requirements, and ensure compliance with performance, safety, and regulatory expectations. Contribute to issue tracking, risk discussions, and project communication across internal and external stakeholders.

Project Manager - Rolling Stock

School of Rock Salt Lake City

Co-own and operate a performance-based music education studio serving the Salt Lake City region. Responsible for business strategy, staffing, operational systems, local partnerships, financial planning, and student program development. Focused on building a sustainable, community-centered learning environment that develops confident young musicians.

Co-Owner / General Manager

Writing Architect

Provided brand messaging, website content, and conversion-focused marketing copy for small and mid-sized businesses.

Owner / Copywriter

JKD Products Inc

Served as the sole engineer responsible for electrical and mechanical product design across custom trailer and equipment builds. Converted functional requirements into manufacturable wiring harness and component layouts, coordinated directly with fabrication and assembly teams, and supported testing, troubleshooting, and iterative refinement through release.

Design Engineering Manager

Designed wiring harness systems and electrical layouts for commercial trailer products. Coordinated with suppliers and production teams to implement manufacturing-ready designs.

Electrical Design Engineer

Stadler US

Supported train system integration, resolving cross-system electrical compatibility and performance issues. Worked directly with OEM engineering teams to align design packages with U.S. regulatory and operational requirements.

Electrical Systems Engineer II

Led on-site commissioning and testing of passenger rail vehicles, coordinating issue identification and resolution across propulsion, control, and safety systems. Facilitated collaboration between shop technicians, systems engineers, and vendor reps to meet delivery milestones and acceptance criteria.

Electrical Commissioning Engineer

NJ TRANSIT

Maintained, diagnosed, and repaired electromechanical and control systems across passenger rail equipment. Interpreted technical specifications, wiring diagrams, and system documentation to ensure safe, compliant operations. Collaborated with operations, maintenance, and safety teams to return rail assets to service efficiently and reliably.

Electrician

US Navy

As a Nuclear Electrician’s Mate in the U.S. Navy, I qualified through one of the most rigorous technical training pipelines in the military. I maintained, operated, and troubleshot electrical systems within a high-reliability naval nuclear propulsion environment, performing both preventive and corrective maintenance on power distribution equipment, control circuitry, and safety systems. The role demanded strict adherence to procedures, precise technical documentation, and consistent systems discipline. My time in the Navy built habits of accountability, attention to detail, and composure under pressure — habits that continue to shape how I approach engineering work today.

Electrician's Mate (Nuclear)

I help digital coaches/consultants attract high-quality clients with scalable marketing systems | Marketing Copywriter + Electrical Systems Engineer | 5% goes to Whale and Dolphin Conservation

I’ve always been drawn to how things connect — systems, processes, people, and the ideas that keep them moving.

I began my career in the U.S. Navy as a Nuclear Electrician’s Mate, where I learned to work with high-reliability systems, uncompromising standards, and the kind of discipline that only comes from environments where mistakes aren’t optional. That foundation shaped how I approach technical work and responsibility today.

After the Navy (and a lot of subsequent schooling in physics and engineering), I continued building my career in complex transportation and engineering environments. I moved into hands-on electrical systems work in passenger rail operations and later took on roles in commissioning and systems integration.

Today, I work in multi-stakeholder project coordination and technical review for rail fleet programs while also co-owning School of Rock Salt Lake City, where I manage daily operations, program development, and community engagement. Operating a business alongside a technical career has sharpened my ability to understand people, prioritize decisions, and stay accountable for outcomes.

Earning my Professional Engineer (PE) license has deepened my sense of accountability, not just to technical standards, but also to the people and systems those standards serve.

My goal is to continue bridging the gap between engineering precision and people-centered management, and to grow into a leader who brings clarity, empathy, and structure to complex environments.

Learning to lead through systems and people.

Cian Earls 🐬

I’m happy to share that I’ve obtained a new certification: Project Management Professional (PMP) from Project Management Institute!

Cian Earls

Utah PE + PMP | Electrical Engineer & Business Owner | Learning to Lead Through Systems & People

Big milestone today.
I officially earned my Professional Engineer (PE) license.

It’s been a long road getting here,
and for a while, I’d given up on the idea.
I thought it wasn’t meant to be.

Between the strict requirements, full-time work, starting a business,
and finding my footing again after a few career detours,
it more often than not felt out of reach.

But every setback became part of the process.
Every late night.
Every moment of self-doubt.
Every small win that eventually added up to something that mattered.

Engineering, for me, has always been about connection and trust.
Earning my PE has deepened that sense of accountability.
It’s not just about technical precision.
It’s about integrity, clarity, and the impact behind every decision.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come,
and excited (and grateful) to continue learning to lead.

My daughter was born last week,
and it’s made me reflect on what
my other two kids have already taught me.

Lessons about patience and presence.
Lessons about slowing down in a fast world.

The truth is, my kids have taught me 
more about leadership than
any course or title ever could.

Being a parent requires sacrifice,
the kind that asks you to put others first,
not once, but every single day.

And I’ve learned that real leadership is similar.
Long-term outcomes are built on quiet, consistent sacrifices
that no one sees except the people you’re showing up for.

With another little one joining us,
I’m reminded that learning to lead
starts and ends at home.

What have your kids (or the people you care for) taught you about leadership?

Something I’ve been noticing:

A lot of stress in projects comes from assumptions rather than disagreements.

When expectations are clear, work feels lighter.
When expectations are vague, even small tasks feel heavy.

Clarity isn’t flashy, but it changes everything.

Sometimes, people get under your skin.

They miss details.
They give pushback.
They don't listen.
They don't follow through.
They make poor decisions.

And the natural instinct is ALWAYS to react.

But good leadership is the opposite of reaction. 

It's the ability to slow down instinct:
the power to overcome the moment,
setting the tone for everything else.

Not because you’re above it,
but because you’re responsible for it.

It's not about control of others.
It’s about control of yourself.

How do you slow yourself down before reacting?

Lately, I’ve been reflecting a lot on what it means to lead. 
Not in a title sense, but in the everyday sense. 

How you respond when things get messy. 
How you communicate when you’re frustrated.
How you balance systems, people, and expectations 
when all three pull you in different directions. 

Those are the moments that shape your leadership style 
and mold the culture around you. 

What does good leadership look like to you these days?

Veronica Llorca-Smith 🍋

Want to find a speaker for your next leadership event?

I design customized keynotes and workshops to motivate and build high-performing teams and help develop new leadership skills.

Blending my 20-year corporate experience (Apple, Estée Lauder), my personal experience living in 9 countries and my journey as an amateur triathlete, I create engaging sessions that bring both inspiration and actionable frameworks. 

Topics:

Inclusive leadership
Unconscious Bias
Cultural Agility
Inclusive Language
Allyship

Growth Mindset: 
An Athlete's Mindset
Becoming Your Best Ambassador

Previous clients: UBS, AIA, ManpowerGroup, BioRad, Native Union, UK Cabinet, Michael Page, DASH...

Motivational Speaker & Author: DEI & growth mindset

🎙Public Speaking: I create customized presentations and workshops for organizations and events. My content leverages my 15-year corporate experience (Apple, Estée Lauder) as well as my personal experience as a triathlete and an author. 

🎓 Topics:

- Cultural agility as a competitive advantage in the workplace

- Inclusive leadership: mindset, behavior and processes

- Inclusive language as a catalyst for inclusion 

- An athlete's mindset: mental frameworks to get results 
  
- Thriving as a woman in the workplace

- Maximizing your influence with a personal brand

Languages available: English, Spanish, French, Italian & Portuguese

Veronica Llorca-Smith 💎

My home setup in Hong Kong for a virtual session on ALLYSHIP for Hines America and Europe! 

Earlier this week I delivered a session for the Asia Pacific teams in the Hong Kong office and last night was the rest of the world:

100+ participants across Europe and America.

We talked about the why and what of allyship and what each of us can do individually to be a better ally at work and beyond. 

We debunked myths, dove deep into common scenarios and misunderstandings and saw what effective allyship looks like in practice.

Each participant reflected and shared what allyship means to them and which underrepresented groups they want to be an ally for.

For some, it was people with disability, new parents, women's development, carers…we had a full screen and many commitments!

Thank you Éidín, Cristina Hernandez Enriquez and Melody Davidovic being amazing hosts and making me feel part of the team! 

PS: Over the moon to finally have my solopreneur corner at home!

Veronica Llorca-Smith🎤

International Speaker & Corporate Trainer in 6 languages: Leadership, Communication & Cultural Agility | Penguin Author | Ironman Triathlete | CEM (Chief Executive Mom)

Woman in an office with her computer dressed in black on a brown leather chair

I'm not a professional athlete or a fitness influencer. Just a mum trying to stay fit for my kids (ok, and fight gravity 🍑).

But one of the biggest growth engines for my business is... sport.

Exercising keeps my business moving forward:

Waking up early to train gives me peace and builds discipline.

Running without music or noise brings me clarity and focus. 

Cycling uphill when your muscles are screaming builds resilience and mental strength.

Competing in races fuels my motivation.

And getting home after a good sweat builds a winner mindset, one small win at a time.

I bring a lot of sports mindset and psychology into my public speaking work because it's the foundation of what I do, how I think and how I show up on stage and in life. 

If this resonates with you and you are looking for a speaker for your next event on leadership, cultural agility and/or growth mindset, let's have a chat - or go for a run!

And then we were 3 (authors!!).

5 months ago, I had the honor of being the moderator at Nidhi Kush's book launch, "Becoming Bold, Brave and Brilliant" at Bookazine HK Hong Kong.

I invited Urmila Menon, a member of my community at The Lemon Tree Mindset 🌳🍋 and we met in person for the first time.

Urmila then became my Founding Member to work on the launch strategy for her own book, COLOR CODED: Finding Ourselves.

She just self-published it and... she hit the Amazon Bestseller Rank! 

Being an author is bloody hard but guess what, you don't have to do it all alone!

So get out there, find your peers, support other authors (especially indie ones), join communities, write reviews (please!).

PS 2: If you want to find out how Urmila became an Amazon Bestseller, read the full story here:

https://lnkd.in/g6HEs-rr

Woman smiling next to the book cover of COLOR CODED. She's brunette and the book has a mix of read and orange shapes with eyes

𝟲𝟬+ 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝟱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟭 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽! 

Yesterday I had the honor of being the guest speaker at 𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦 in their Hong Kong office. I delivered a session to their teams across China, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Australia. 

This initiative was hosted under the 𝙊𝙣𝙚𝙃𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣'𝙨 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 to promote allyship across the organization. 

We talked about 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 in the workplace and beyond with real examples, debunked myths and misunderstandings and covered an actionable framework to help go from intention to action.

Hosting hybrid sessions is challenging but it's more and more frequent among global organizations,  and thanks to technology, you can make it engaging, interactive and fun! 

We had cameras to include all the other offices and I used Slido to incorporate word clouds, polls and Q&A so that we could hear from everyone and make it an inclusive event.  

Thank you Melody Davidovic for being a fantastic host!

Looking forward to hosting the session tomorrow for the HINES teams in North America and Europe!

2 women in front of a HINES sign with green grass 

Picture of a global conference with multiple teams in different screens 

As a public speaker, before a big event (like today), I prepare not only mentally but ALSO physically:

- Protect your sleep (in bed and lights off by 9pm)

- Exercise to gain clarity and focus (beautiful sunrise from the Peak this morning, in Hong Kong!) 

- Drink lots of warm water to hydrate (it soothes your throat and helps relax your vocal cords). 

- Smile in front of the mirror (it really helps to set you up for success and set the tone for your energy!!)

- Breathing routine to turn your nerves into excitement.

- Choose an outfit that makes me feel confident and empowered. 

Getting ready to deliver a session on ALLYSHIP for the global teams at the real investment management company, HINES! 

It's a hybrid session in their Hong Kong office with 3 other teams across Asia joining virtually.

If you'd like to know more about my keynotes, corporate sessions and workshops, send me a DM and check the comments 👇🏽

Picture of a woman with a  beige dress and a black jacket in front of a colorful painting of an Asian woman 

Would you still work from the hospital?

Today I read a thought-provoking post here from a female CEO.

She was proudly sharing how she was still "leading" from the hospital as she was recovering from a serious surgery - sending emails, taking calls in her patient outift ...

"Unconditional leadership."

I felt uncomfortable because that's the message that the CEO is indirectly sending to the organization and will cascade from the top down:

"If I can lead while I'm recovering from surgery, you can lead anytime anywhere. No excuses. Toughen up" 

And this message creates a toxic culture that leads to burnout. I've been there. 

When the leader sends emails during the weekend, takes calls while on holidays and glorifies working from a hospital, they are role modeling that behavior and setting the tone for "what good looks like."

And here is the scary part: 

Do women feel they have to prove something? 

Do we need to show we are tough and strong to make a point?

Are we afraid of showing any sign of "weakness"?

Leadership is not always about doing. Sometimes it means stepping back.

Showing that you respect your own free time.

Prioritizing your health over the P&L of a company.

Having an OOO reply when you are on medical leave and honoring it. 

Saying out loud that it's okay not to be okay and that the company will still support you. 

Would you expect your employees to work from the hospital bed? 

Because if you are their leader, chances are they will follow your lead and whatever you decide to do, that's the culture you decide to create.

Woman with a red dress and a green background. Looks like a recording studio.

Public speaking took me to Sydney, Shanghai, Singapore and India this year! 

My goal for 2025 was to grow my public speaking business. I got out of my comfort zone and started pitching to conferences, organizations and Speaker Bureaux worldwide and creating opportunities.

I didn't wait for people to knock on my door and it paid off. 

From being a panelist at the largest DEI Summit in Asia (SCMP) to traveling to Sydney to speak for UBS Australia and New Zealand.

The launch of my book, The Anti-Procrastinator with Penguin Random House, took me to literary festivals in Hong Kong, Singapore and India! 

I spoke for some iconic organizations such as AIA, S&P Global, Hines, Tendam, Ageas, both in person and remotely to their global teams.

I did my first-ever session in Spanish for Racing Cargo and their C-level team! 

And I also supported organizations pro bono, from The European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, to The Women Entrepreneurs Network HK (WEN) and the lovely community at Hey Lady! English Speaking Community and had some great collaborators like Mônica Zionede Hall (she/her), Melanie Staunton and Sharlene Jacquier.

Plus dozens of webinars, podcasts and live sessions in English and Spanish for my communities of writers and creators.

100+ sessions and I wrap things up tomorrow with the team at Minisport Hong Kong on a session on "Shaping 2026" for Matthew James Paterson's team. 
 
3 years ago I was unemployed, wondering what was next.

And this is what's next: believing in yourself and making things happen. 

Cheers to creating your own opportunities!

Panel of speakers with blue background and 2 women and 2 men on stage. 

Panel outdoors with 2 women and a man on a stage. Colorful and light. 

Woman on stage with a red dress and a mic

Yesterday I opened a coaching session with the worst line ever:

“I have imposter syndrome”

Note: I am the coach here (luckily I'm not a surgeon)

I know, not the most professional or polished line I could come up with, but definitely the most real.

My client, Charlie is a C-level exec and Founder, columnist at MarketWatch, 30K+ followers here, and has served US Presidents. 6 of them. It’s all public info.

So yes, feeling like an imposter was in order. 

He could have dismissed me after my "Grand Opening", but he didn't. He listened carefully, asked questions, took notes, and we had the most amazing hour. 

We brainstormed, trouble-shooted, ideated and combined our perspectives and expertise to take his strategy to the next level. I honestly gave 200%.

This morning, I woke up to his email and his feedback is one of the most powerful testimonials I've ever received.

Out of everything we discussed, the thing that actually struck him most was my opening because it was raw, honest and human. 

Sometimes we forget that real beats perfect. In a world that expects us to be perfectly groomed and polished, being honest goes a long way.

Feeling like an imposter syndrome doesn't make you weak: it means you are human and real and above all, it means that you care.

Thank you for trusting me and for inviting me to your table, Charles P. Garcia

Full article here: https://lnkd.in/gV_QgdxY

Testimonial written by my client with a black banner of Capital Mischief 

What does it take to become a New York Times bestseller?

That’s exactly what I want to ask writer and novelist Michelle Richmond in our live session tomorrow. 

Join 2 authors as we share experiences about writing books, building your author brand and turning your creativity into your lifestyle.

If you’ve been thinking about writing a book for a while, this might be exactly what you need to start 2026 in style. 

Publishing books is an incredible credibility booster for your career but it’s also your legacy and a project for your personal development. 

The gift of writing is writing. 

To join the live session live for FREE, subscribe now to The Lemon Tree Mindset 🌳🍋👇🏽

Tuesday 9 December, 9am Hong Kong time.

Flyer of the event with the picture of 2 women. 

From zero to 13,000. 

I had no idea how powerful having *your community* is until I built mine. 

Whether you are a solopreneur, writer, creator or even an employee, having your own community will open incredible doors for your career and your personal development:

- Collaborations across the world

- Broader visibility and exposure

- Invitations to podcasts, interviews, panels, events...

- New income streams: webinars, cohorts, courses, coaching...

- A strong personal brand that speaks for yourself when you approach partners, potential clients or investors

- A sounding board with peers that can give you feedback and help you grow with a bit of tough love

This is a snippet of how I'm growing my bilingual community at The Lemon Tree Mindset / El Limonero.

Today we are over 13,000 members across 164 countries but 3 years ago we were ZERO.

ZERO. 

It's not too late to start.

Make it exist first. You can worry about the rest later. 

Vamos! 👇🏽

This week I'll host 2 workshops for 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 and its teams around the world. 

The initiative is led by 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙃𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣'𝙨 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠, an internal group dedicated to supporting, empowering, and championing women in the organization and beyond.

The topic is 𝗘𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 and how to become an ally not only for women but for all.

This is my 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱. I delivered it to UBS Australia & New Zealand, AIA Asia-Pacific, and Ageas Asia.

The goal is not to point fingers and blame but to discover how each of us can become an ally to promote equity and balance the scales.

We debunk myths, unwrap the concept through real cases and scenarios and go through a framework to change behaviours and make allyship part of the day-to-day culture: 

𝗔: 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 
𝗟: 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻
𝗟: 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻
𝗬: 𝗬𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 

Allyshish is not an act of charity but a catalyst for collective growth.

This could be a great session for your organization for the upcoming 2026 International Women's Day  

If you'd like to explore my keynotes and workshops on cultural agility, inclusive leadership and effective communication, visit my website and let's book a call.

Pink flyer with the picture of a woman and the title Effective Allyship 

taplio

The Battle

Cian Earls 🐬

Veronica Llorca-Smith 💎

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreCian Earls 🐬's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreVeronica Llorca-Smith 💎's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Cian Earls 🐬

Veronica Llorca-Smith 💎

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Cian Earls 🐬's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreVeronica Llorca-Smith 💎's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreCian Earls 🐬's LinkedIn Performance